Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-12-15

The diniculty attending wise and fair reVls
Ion OF oar tariff laws Is not underestimated II
VIII require on the part OF the Congress grea;
labor and care. and especially broad and ma
tional contemplation OF the subject and q pafri
Otto disregard of such local and selfish claims a.
are unreasonable and reckless OF the welfare OF
the entire country.
Under our present laws more than four thous-
and articles are subject to duty. Many OF these
90 not In any way compete with our own manu-
factures. and many hardly worth attention
as subjects OF revenue A considerable reduc-
lion can be made in the aggregate by adding
them to the free list The taxation OF luxuries
presents no features OF hardship, but the neces-
saries OF life, used and consumed by all the
people, the duty upon which adds TO the cost OF
living in every home, should be greatly cheap
ened.
The radical reduction OF the duties imposed
upon raw material used in manufactures. or its
free Importation is OF course an important fac
tor in any effort to reduce the price OF these
necessaries- II would not only relieve them
from the Increased cost caused by the tariff on
such material but the manufactured product
being thus cheapened, that part OF the tarin
now laid upon such product as a compensation
10 our manufacturers for the present price Of
raw material. could be accordingly modified.
Such reduction. or free Importation.
would serve beside to largely reduce
the revenue. II is not apparent how
on our manufacturers. On the contrary, it
would appear 10 give them better chance in
foreign markets with the manufacturers of
other countries. who cheaper their wares by
Tree material. Thus our people might have the
opportunity Of extending their sales beyond the
limits of home cousumption-saving them from
the depression, interruption in business and
loss caused by glutted domestic market, and
aHordlnS their employees more certain and steady
labor, with its resulting que: and contentment.
The question thus inperatiTey presented for
solution should be approached in spirit higher
than partisanShip and considered in the light Of
that regard for patriotic duty which should
characterize the action of those intrusted with
the veal of 4 confiding people. But the obliga-
tion to declared party policy and principle is
not wanted to urge prompt and effective action.
Both OF the great political parties now repre-
sented in the Government have, by repeated
and authoritative declarations, condemned the
condition OF our laws which permit the coliec-
ton from the people OF unnecessary revenue. and
have, in the most solemn manner. promised its
correction: and neither as citizens or partisans
are our eountrymen in a mood TO condone the
deliberate violations OF these pledges.
Our progress toward a wise conclusion will
not be improved by dwelling upon the theories
OF protection and free trade. This savorS too
much of bandying epithets. It is a condition
which confronts us-not theory. Relief from
this condition may involve slight reduction OF
the advantages which we award our home pro-
auctions, but the entire withdrawal OF such ad-
question of free trade is absolutely irrelevant;
and the persistent claim made in certain quar-
tiers, that all efforts to relieve the people from
unjust and unnecessary taxation are schemes Oh
so-called free traders, is mischievous and Ia
removed from any consideration for the public
good.
The simple and plain duty which We owe the
people Is TO reduce taxation TO the necessary 1-
penses of an economical operation OF the Gov
eminent. and to restore TO the business of the
ron rr-f he MOI rKhf n
ury through the perversion OF governmental
powers. These things can and should be done
with safety TO all our industries without danger
to the opportunity for remunerative labor
which our workingmen need and with benefit 10
them and all our people by cheapening their
means of subsistence and increasing the meas
ure OF their comforts.
The Constitution provides that the President
shall from time to time give I'd the Congress in
formation OF the state OF the Union. II has
been the custom OF the executive in compliance
with this provision. 10 annually exhibit TO the
Congress, at the opening of its session, the
general condition of the country, and to de-
tail, with some particularly, the operations
OF the different executive departments It
would be especially agreeable 70 follow
this course at the present time, nnd
to call attention 10 the valuable accom-
plishments of these departments during the
last fiscal year. but am much impressed
with the paramount importance OF the subject
to which this communication has thus far
been devoted that shall fOrego the addition or
any other topic, and only urge upon your i'm
mediate consideration the Estate of the Union"
as shown in the present condition OF our treas
ury and our general fiscal situation, upon which
every element OF our safety and prosperity de-
ponds.
The reports of the heads OF departments,
which will be submitted. contain full and
plict information touching the transaction of
business intrusted to them, and such recon-
mendations relating to legislation in the public
interest as they deem advisable. I ask for
these reports and recommendations the delib-
crate examination and action OF the legislative
branch of the Government.
There are other subjects not embraced in the
departmental report demanding legislative
consideration, and which I should be glad to
submit. Some OF them, however have been
earnestly presented in previous messages, and
as to them beg leave to repeat prior recon-
mendations.
AS the law makes no provision for any report
from the Department OF State, a brief history OF
the transactions OF that important Department.
together with other matters which it may here
after be deemed essential to commend to the
attention of the Congress. may furnish the occar
sion for future communication.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
WAsHINGToN, Dec. 6.
NOMINATIONS.